The RailStaff Awards 2024

Glen Merryman

Said the following about Dionne McKenzie:

“Dionne is passionate about her role and the areas of the business that she represents. She is not afraid to challenge both her own managers and senior management to ensure that they achieve the results they need. Dionne has worked with the Fleet team for a number of years, and is well respected by everyone within the function.

She has also added the HQ function to her area of responsibility and has overseen a number of restructures within that area – Communications, IT and Safety have all undergone extensive changes, and Dionne has worked hard to ensure that they have all been successful.

Over the years, Dionne has built up strong relationships with managers across the business, as well as with the unions that she deals with. This has proved invaluable when dealing with challenges within the Fleet function especially. She oversaw the closure of Bedford depot, which involved large scale redundancies and relocation of staff. There was a very real prospect of industrial action if this had not been handled as well as it was, and it is a massive credit to her that the process was completed without a hitch and with no objections from the unions.

Dionne will always fight for the best for her areas – when new initiatives are introduced, she will always ask how this affects her areas of the business, and question if they are not involved.

She is a huge advocate for the Fleet function, and works tirelessly to ensure that they are represented within the business. One of her current focuses is to look at the culture within the function and the industry as a whole in terms of diversity and inclusion, especially in terms of bringing more women into the Engineering world.

Dionne is a perfect example of how far someone can get within this business with hard work and talent – having started as a member of frontline staff just over 20 years ago (sorry, Dionne!) she has worked her way up to her current role and has become a key member of the HR team.

Dionne is probably the best manager I have ever had the privilege of working for. She pushes me to think independently and encourages me to get out of my comfort zone. She is always available for help and support, and provides guidance where needed.

When I asked for supporting comments from the management teams she works with, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and I have included a selection of the comments I have received:

Manager Feedback:

Dionne is a valued member of both the Engineering and HR Teams – with a store of credibility and goodwill built up over time. In the last eighteen months Dionne has tackled and resolved a diverse and challenging range of issue, very effectively, with humour and commitment. Her focus throughout has been not just on delivering the right business outcome but also achieving the right result for our people

Dionne is our Engineering HRBP, with such a diverse range of skill-sets and role descriptions to manage, Dionne is always able to give the very best advice to the Engineering and Asset Management team. She has a very balanced approach and is always in solution solving mode. Dionne’s efforts and assistance over the years are greatly appreciated; she is an asset to us, thanks Dionne. (David Hickson)

Dionne has been excellent in supporting me over the years in regards to managing HR procedures of various degrees of complexity. This has helped me develop from being a supervisor up to my current position.

Dionne has also showed genuine compassion when I have been going through various family bereavements in recent times

Her straight to the point style cuts through a load of waffle and the advice and counsel she gives is what is needed when managing a large and diverse work force. Whilst she often says things you don’t want to hear they are usually the right things.

She has a 6th sense for picking up underlying currents and this allows her to guide us simple folk through many minefields. (Paul Richardson)

Whenever I ask for support or advice she is most helpful and provides a speedy response.... (Wendy Robertson)“